Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 24121, Elias Emerson, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER .
Mass,
Emerson, Elias ' Phebe
W. 24121
CONTENTS

6838
Massachusetts
Elias Emerson
of Lancaster the State of Mass who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain _____ of the _____ commanded by Col Harvey in the _____ line for 15 days.
94
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass at the rate of 50 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 18 th day of Mar 1833 and sent to Dana of Boston Present
Arrears to 4th of Mar 1833 $100 — Semestral allowance ending 4 Sept — 25 — $125 —
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J H B Blair Clerk, Book D. Vol. 2 nd Page 48.
73 Korente

Massachusetts - 603
Phoebe Emerson,
widow of Elias Emerson, dec.
Mass who was a pensioner under the Act of 7 th June '32 and who died on the 16 th June 1835 th of Worcester in the State of Mass who was a P er in the Comp y commanded by Captain  of the Reg t commanded by  in the Mass ts line for 15 th M th
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 50 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4 th day of March, 1834
Certificate of Pension issued the 6 th day of Oct 38, and sent to and Geo. W. Adams 63 Court St. Boston.
Arrears to the 4 th of Sept. $ 125.00 Semi-annual allowance ending 25.00
$ 150.00
{ Act July 7, 1838. }
Recorded by R. Burrows Clerk, Book A Vol. — Page 85

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Worcester ss.
On this fourteenth day of August  Probate A. D. 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Common Pleas , now sitting at Worcester within and for the County of Worcester in the Commonwealth aforesaid Elias Emerson  Lancaster in said County of A aged 72 years
Who being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. That is to say
1 In A D 1776, he engaged to serve three months in the vicinity of Boston and enlisted in the Company of Capt. David Girdler of Charleston L t Bernet of Reading, there was no Field Officer on them and only two Companies in that Camp he was employed in building Forts, and in Guarding the Coasts, until he compleated his term of duty and was dismissed. — 2 In the summer of 1777 he was engaged again in the Neighborhood of Boston for three months enlisted into the Company of Capt. Ward of Salem, L t Thomas Townsend of Reading, there was no Field Officer on that station, and he was employed as he was the last season until he compleated his three months and was dismissed. — 3 In the year A. D 1778 he engaged to go to Rhode Island for six weeks and enlisted into the Company of Capt. Dyer of Reading L t Johnson also of Reading in Col o Haws Reg t of Mass s Forces, he proceeded to Tiverton where at Howland Ferry, at Bristol Ferry and employed in Guarding the Shores until he compleated six weeks. — 4 In 1779 he again engaged to go to Rhode Island for three months after the British had gone from it, he enlisted into the Company of Capt. Green of Reading, they had no Field Officer on the station where he continued under the orders of Capt. Green until he compleated his three months and was dismissed. — 5 In A D 1779 being then at he was employed and put as a Marine, the vessel was sent to Penobscott, and there stationed to watch the Enemies Ships for six weeks when he came back and was discharged. 6 He enlisted for three months in the Company of Capt. Walker of Auburn, & he does not remember that they were under any Field Officer he proceeded from Reading then Lancaster M t to Albany and was quartered at Day to watch the Indians on the frontier until he served his three months and was discharged. for this service he cannot find any witness —

He relinquishes every claim, whatever, to a pension or annuity, whatever except, the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll, of the agency of any State
sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid Before Nathl Thayer Judge of Probate for the County of Worcester Elias Emerson
We Nathl Thayer a Clergyman residing in the town of Lancaster in the county of Worcester and Jonathan Wilder of the same Lancaster hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Elias Emerson who has subscribed and sworn to the above, and that we believe him to be 72 years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood, where he resides, to have been a soldier in the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
sworn Before Nathl Thayer Judge of Probate for the County of Worcester Nathl Thayer Jonathan Wilder
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, that after the investigation of the matter, and putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies that it appears to them, that Nathaniel Thayer who has signed the preceding Certificates is a Clergyman resident in the town of Lancaster  Jonathan Wilder is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. I Theophilus Wheeler Register of Probate for the County of Worcester
do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains, the original proceedings, of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Elias Emerson for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this fourteenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirty two
Theophilus Wheeler Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Worcester in Massachusetts
Worcester ss. Commonwealth of Massachusetts
I Theophilus Wheeler Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Worcester do hereby certify that since making the above Certificate which is dated the 14th day of August 1832 the Secretary of State's Certificate dated Nov 26th 1832, the affidavits of Ebenezer Davenport, Nathl Cowdry, James Emerson and Jeremiah Green made before Justice Prescott who is said to be a justice of the Peace for Middlesex County - have been presented and are now connected under the seal of said Court with the said Pensioner's application - said affidavits are dated Nov 7th 1832 but not being acquainted with the hand writing of said Justice I cannot say that it is genuine, but have no doubt of the fact that it is so -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this 26th day of December 1832
Theophilus Wheeler Register of Court

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Worcester Middlesex , to wit,
At the Court of Probate begun and holden at Worcester within and for the County of Worcester on the 14th day of August — A. D. 1832 On the application of Elias Emerson claiming to be a Soldier of the Revolution, the following Interrogatories were propounded to him to wit :
1. Where, and in what year were you born ?
Answer,
I was born in Reading, (now South Reading) September 9th. A.D. 1758.
2. Have you any record of your age, and where is it ?
Answer,
I have a record in my family Bible in my house
3. Did you ever receive any written discharge from service?
Answer. I never received any such discharge —
4. Where were you living, when called into service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live ?
Answer,
In Reading, In the year A.D. 1800 I moved to Cambridge - Port. In 1801. I moved to Lancaster Ms. where I have since, and do now live.
5. How were you called into service, were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute, and if a substitute for whom ?
Answer,
I was a volunteer; & entering when I went to Penobscot. when I was pressed in Boston
6. State the names of some of the regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served, such Continental, and Militia Regiments, as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service?
Answer,
I saw Col. Howe at Rhode Island —
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a Soldier of the Revolution?
Answer,
Benjamin Fairsworth, Rev. Dr. Thayer Capt. John Thurston. Dr. Calvin Carter — Mr. Joseph Howell. William Gould, Major Fisher Elias Emerson

20 Feb. 1833
I have the honor to certify that the signature of the within name is in my opinion a true signature of the person whose name it is supposed to be.
R. B. Broom
Station of Miss Anderson
2137 E. 11th
(Amplified No)
pleas to direct
Sam! D. Baker Gordon W.

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7 th  July 1838 entitled "an act granting half pay & pensions to certain widows" Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Worcester ss. On this twenty third day of August in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred & thirty-eight, personally appeared before me  the undersigned  notary public of the county of Middlesex & State of Massachusetts Phebe Emerson a resident of Lancaster in the county of Worcester & said State aged seventy years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her Oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 7 th 1838 entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows": That she is the widow of Elias Emerson who was a private soldier in the Army of the Revolution, and went from the town of South Reading in the County of Middlesex & the Colony to the adjoining town of Medford. She further declares that said Elias Emerson received a pension for his services aforesaid in the Revolutionary War under the act of 1832 at the rate of fifty dollars per annum & continued to draw the same until the day of his death which took place on the sixteenth day of June in the year Eighteen hundred & thirty five. The fact of his receiving said Pension will more fully appear on reference to the documents on file in the War Department at Washington, which documents were forwarded in support of his claim under the act aforesaid. She also declares that the amount of his pension then due
She further declares that she was married to the said Elias Emerson on the fifteenth day of October in the year seventeen hundred & ninety that her husband the aforesaid Elias Emerson died on the sixteenth

day of June in the year Eighteen hundred & thirty five ; that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January seventeen hundred and ninety-four, viz at the time above stated; and that she has never been married since the death of her said husband.
Sworn to and subscribed, on the day and year above written before Robert E. Nelson
McClellan judge of the Court of Public Procurements of United States

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Middlesex ss.
Malden August 3: 1838.
I, the Subscriber, hereby certify, that there appears in the Registry of Marriages of the First Church of Christ in the Town of Malden the following record of marriage lawfully celebrated by the reverend Adoniram Judson being at the time thereof Pastor of said Church, to wit;
Elias Emerson of Reading and Phebe Howard of Malden the fifteenth day of October, and year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety —
and that this is a true copy of the record, with the exception of the date which is expressed on the record in full, legible figures as follows
1790
Oct r 15. Elias Emerson of Reading & Phebe Howard of Malden —
Alexander W. McClure, Present Pastor of the First Church of Christ in Malden.
I, Alexander W. McClure, above named, depose and say, that I hold the office of Pastor of the First Church of Christ in the Town of Malden, in the County and Commonwealth aforesaid; — and that the above is a true extract from the record of marriages of said Church, with the exception above named as certified by me,
Alexander W. McClure, Pastor of the First Church of Christ in Malden.

Middlesex ss. Malden August 3 d 1838.
Then personally appeared the within named Alexander W. McElune, and made solemn Oath that the within affidavit by him subscribed is true.
Before me Gilbert Haven Justice of Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex ss. I Elias Phinney Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the county of Middlesex do certify that Gilbert Haven Esquire, is a Justice of the Peace within & for the county of Middlesex and that his name subscribed to the above certificate is his genuine signature
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court the twenty seventh day of August 1838. —
E. Phinney, Clerk

Elias Emerson
21, 5-24
15 Mrs. Maria Allison.
$50-
Saml. Dana Esq. Groton Mass:

BRIEF in the case of Elias Emerson of Lancaster in the State of Massachusetts (Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? In Open Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? Seventy Two
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     In 1776 2 27 Private Gen. Capt: David Goodwin   In Summer of 1777 3 Private Capt: Ward   1778 13 12 Private Col: Haws & Capt: Dine   1779 3 8 Private Capt: Wm Green   1779 1 12 Marine Capt: Brown   No year mentioned 3 Private Capt: Walker  
5. In what battles was he engaged? None Named
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? In Reading, Mass:
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? living witnesses
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? correctly authenticated
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Examining Clerk.
The Certificate of the secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts shows Elias Emerson was on the rolls of said Commonwealth —

958
Phebe Emerson mother of Elias Mass
act 7. July 38
married 1790 died in 1835
admd 15 mo pre
50 $
no deduction
Geo. W. Adams No 63. Court St. Boston

I Bethiah Emerson, of Boston, in the County of Suffolk, and State of Mass- achusetts, Singlewoman, aged seventy-two years, On oath, depose and say, that I am sister to Elias Emerson the deceased husband of Phebe Emerson the Applicant, in the Declaration to which this is annexed, that I perfectly remember my brother said Elias Emerson, during his lifetime say that he enlisted in the Army of the United States during the Revolutionary War as a private Soldier, - that I have a distinct recollection that he was absent from his home a long time in the Army - that he returned home sick, - & went back & served one or two periods of service in said war afterwards. - He drew a pension for his said services under the Act of 1832 & continued to receive the same, till his death which took place on the sixteenth day of June A.D. Eighteen Hundred & thirty five. I further testify & say, that Phebe Emerson the within Declarant is the widow of said Elias Emerson - that she has not married since his death, and is still living his widow to the best of my knowledge & belief.
Bethiah Emerson

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Suffolk. ss. Boston. August - 27 th 1838
Personally appeared the within Bethiah Emerson and made solemn oath to the truth of the within affidavit by her subscribed - and I certify that said witness is a respectable inhabitant of said Boston whose testimony is entitled to full belief - Before me.
George W. Adams Justice of the Peace within & for said County

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
em
File No. 24/21
Phebe Emerson
wid of
Elias Emerson
Pr. Mass. Line
Act: July 7 th 38
Index:—Vol. A , Page 217
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, August 27 th 1838.
I hereby Certify, That Ira Barton Esq r is the Judge of Probate for the County of Worcester, (and was so at the date of his attestation.)
in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and commissioned; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
John O. Bigelow Secretary of the Commonwealth.

I Zerviah Howard of Boston, in the county of Suffolk, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Widow, aged Sixty- =five years, On oath, do testify, and say, that I was well acquainted with - Elias Emerson, the deceased husband of the Applicant; in the declaration to which this is annexed; - Said Elias during his life-time often told me, he served in the Army of the American-Revolution as a private Soldier. - I have frequently heard him state, that he received a pension for his services in said War. - I further testify, & say, that I am personally acquainted, with Phebe Emerson, the within Declarant, and have been so for several - years past; - that her name before - marriage, to said Elias Emerson, was Phebe Howard; that I was present at their wedding, & saw them married; - that said Elias died on the Sixteenth day of June A D Eighteen hundred & thirty five; - He was buried two days after, & I was at his funeral. I further testify & say, that said Phebe - Emerson has never married since his death, but is still living his widow. - Zerviah Howard

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Suffolk ss. Boston August 27 th 1838
Personally appeared the within Zeruah Howard and made solemn oath to the truth of the within Affidavit by her subscribed; - and I certify that said witness is a respectable person, an inhabitant of Boston, whose testimony is entitled to full belief.
Before me
George W. Adams
Justice of the Peace within and for said county.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Suffolk ss; I, Thomas W. Phillips, Clerk
of the Municipal Court of the City of Boston, hereby certify that George W. Adams Esquire, is a Justice of the Peace within the County of Suffolk. That the signatures on these papers, in two places, purporting to be his, are genuine.
Witness my hand & the seal of said Municipal Court hereto set this twenty seventh day of August A.D. eighteen hundred & thirty eight.
Thomas W. Phillips, Clerk

Elias Emerson.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Nov. 26 1832.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that Elias Emerson is. borne on a Pay roll of Capt. David Goodwin's company in Col. Cogswell's regiment of Militia detached for the purpose of guarding and fortifying the Posts in and near Boston, for the space of 2. months and 27. days. from the 6 th of October. 1778. Again Elias Emerson is borne on a Pay roll of Capt. William Green's company in Col. Cyprian Hovey's regiment at Rhode Island, for the space of 3 months and 6 days. time to return home included, from the 29 th of July. Date of discharge Nov. 1. 1780.
I further certify that there are no rolls of Capt. Ward's company on the expedition against the Indians, and that there is no roll of Capt. James Dix' company, on file in this office and that there is no roll of Capt. Waldo's company, on which the name of Elias Emerson is contained on file in that office. Edward D. Bangs Secy

Affidavit of Ebenezer Parsons in the case of Elias Emerson

I Ebenezer Parsons of Lyndfield in the County of Essex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts do depose and say that I served in the war of the revolution. And I further testify that I am well acquainted with Elias Emerson now of Lancaster in the County of Worcester. And know that he served in a campaign in the neighbourhood of Boston in the summer of 1777. for the space of three months. under Capt Ward of Salem, in which company I also served. Our business was to guard the stores, build forts &c.
Ebenezer Parsons
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Middlesex ss. November 1892
Personally appeared before me the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace, within and for _____ the County of Middlesex
Ebenezer Parsons who subscribed the annexed. — Deposition and is a credible witness
and made solemn Oath that the same is just and true in all its particulars, according to the best of his knowledge and belief.
Joshua Prescott Jus. Peace

Affidavit of Nathaniel Coeedy in the case of Elias Emerson -

I Nathaniel Cowding of South Reading in the County of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts aged seventy three years do depose and say that I served in the Revolutionary War. And I further testify that I am acquainted with Elias Emerson now of Lancaster in the County of Worcester and well know that he served in the Navy in the Penobscot Expedition in the summer of 1779 for the space of about two months or more, as I was in the same naval Expedition and served there about that time, and after our vessels were taken we came home by land, and arrived in Reading about the first of September. A. 1779. Nathl Cowding
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Middlesex ss. November 7 th 1832
Personally appeared before me the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace, within and for _____ the Court of Middlesex
Nathaniel Cowding who subscribed the annexed Deposition and is a credible witness
and made solemn Oath, that the same is just and true in all its particulars according to the best of his knowledge and belief
Joshua Prescott Jus. Peace

Affidavit of Jeremiah Green in the case of Elias Emerson

I Jeremiah Green of Reading in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged _____ years do depose and say that I served in the war of the revolution And I further testify that I am acquainted with Elias Emerson now of Lancaster in the County of Worcester and know that he served in a campaign at Rhode Island in the year 1778. for the space of three months under Capt. William Green. I was in the same company, and well recollect him —
Jeremiah Green
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Middlesex ss. November 7 th 183 2
Personally appeared before me the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace, within and for _____ the County of Middlesex
annexed. Deposition and is a credible witness — Jeremiah Green. who subscribed the
and made solemn Oath that the same is just and true in all its particulars according to the best of his knowledge and belief.
Joshua Prescott Jus. Peace

Affidavit of James Emerson in the case of Elias Emerson
James Emerson

South
I James Emerson of Reading in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged seventy two years do depose and say that I served in the war of the Revolution. And I further testify that I am acquainted with Elias Emerson now of Lancaster in the County of Worcester and know that he served in a campaign in the vicinity of Boston in the year 1776. for the space of three months under Capt. David Goodwin in which company I also served. We were employed in guarding the coast, building forts &c.
And I further testify that he served in a campaign at Rhode Island in the year 1778. for the space of six weeks under Capt. Dix. We marched to Narragansett, thence to Howlands ferry, and completed our service at Bristol ferry.
James Emerson
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Middlesex ss. November 7 th 1832
Personally appeared before me the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace, within and for _____ the County of Middlesex
James Emerson. who subscribed the annexed. Deposition and is a credible witness
and made solemn Oath that the same is just and true in all its particulars, according to the best of his knowledge and belief.
For and Prescott Jus. Peace

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Elias Emerson which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? yes VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? yes XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? yes Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? No for reasons stated XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? yes XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yes
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
†QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
‡QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
¶ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

James L. Edwards Esq.

Boston, August 27 th 1838.
James L. Edwards Esqr.
Herewith are transmitted the papers of Mrs. Phebe Emerson, for a pension for the service of her husband, Elias Emerson, under the Act of Congress of July 7. 1838. Will you be good enough to examine the same, and if the widow's claim is considered to be good, transmit to me her certificate, at your earliest convenience. -
I have forwarded to the Department, the documents of Mrs. Susannah Blake of Boston, Mary Flint of Reading on the 26 th of July last and August 6. of the present month; together with Phebe Thayer of a later date.
As some time has expired since the transmission of the papers in the two first cases, without my receiving any intelligence from you in

to them, and as I understand some widows living in this quarter have received certificates for pensions under the same act, - You would greatly oblige me by advising me as soon as possible, in reference to the same.
I am respectfully
Your obedt Servt
George W. Adams No 63 Court Street